Multi-day trip

Expereince a scenic journey along the Mekong River from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang in Lao in a slow boat with this tour that includes van transfers from downtown Chiang Rai, Thailand.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 2 days: Check availability to see starting times.
Driver: English
Pickup included: We provide pick-up service from hotels in the city center. Pick-up time depends on your area. We will confirm the pickup time after we receive your hotel name and full address. Please check your email. If you are outside our pick-up area, please use the booking form to arrange pick-up at Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1, Muang District, Chiang Rai Province. The van in front of the 7-Eleven store in front of the bus station

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

Srabani – United Kingdom

The pick up was at 6.05am so later than actually said. The slow boat was a great experience from start to finish. Be warned when the boat moors up it’s not necessarily steps you have on flat concrete it may be rocks and all very uneven, we had suitcases which wasn’t the best, definitely fir this sort of travel a back pack is easier. There is a toilet on board, and basic snacks on board. It gets super cold and I mean freezing so bring a hoody/ jumper and a blanket as that breeze is so chilly!

Aytaç – Turkey

Passing through Mekong river by slow boat is still unbelievable experience for me. However, on second day they took us to very small boat even moving is not possible. So after 7 hours, almost everyone mad about it.

Highlights

Take some time to enjoy the beauty of nature along the Mekong River.
Connect with nature as you pass through lush mountain landscapes
Explore the charming village of PakBeng where you can book a hotel for the night
Make crossing the Thai-Lao boarder simple with the included bus crossing
Enjoy convenient and comfortable transfers from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong

Full description

Please note: The number of boats allowed to depart from Lao ports is regulated solely by the Lao government and is beyond our control. During the high season (November to February), some days may be very busy, and the boats can become crowded, which may affect comfort.We kindly ask for your understanding and encourage you to plan and prepare accordingly before booking this trip. You must stay on the boat for at least 6 hours. If you have health conditions such as knee pain, heel pain, or osteoarthritis, please consider this before booking. Day 1: 05:00–05:30 AM: Pickup by VIP van (10 seats) from your accommodation or a central meeting point in Chiang Rai. 06:30 AM: Cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4 (Bokeo Province) by bus. 08:30 AM: Begin the peaceful boat trip to Pakbeng, taking in the beautiful landscapes of Northern Thailand as the scenery changes to the calm waters and lush shores of the Mekong River. 05:00 PM: Arrive in Pakbeng (accommodation is excluded). You can book a hotel and enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant. You need to take all your luggage from the boat and bring it back tomorrow. 09:00 AM: Continue the boat trip to Luang Prabang. Listen to the sounds of water and birds, allowing you to relax and reflect on the journey. If the boat is too crowded, we recommend arriving early to reserve a seat. 05:00 PM: Arrive at the slow boat terminal in Luang Prabang, where you can visit beautiful Buddhist temples and explore the town. End Of Services The shared taxi from slow boat terminal to Luang Prabang downtown area is 2 USD per person

Includes

Hotel or meeting point pickup in downtown Chiang Rai
Air-conditioned van from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong
The experienced driver
Slow boat transfer
Bus across the border
Travel insurance

Visa fee for Laos: Payable in cash only 1,800 THB. You can apply for an e-visa or visa
on arrival.
Laos Visa Photo: If not available, our team can help you find it at the border.
Accomodation in PakBeng
Food and drinks
Personal expenses
Gratuities

Not suitable for

People with back problems
Wheelchair users
People with haemophilia
People prone to seasickness
People with motion sickness

Important information

What to bring

Passport
Jacket
Packed lunch
Cash
Hand sanitizer or tissues

Not allowed

Pets
Alcohol and drugs

Know before you go

This program starts in Chiang Rai.
Slow boats will carry about 100-200 passengers on board.
This boat is shared with local tourists.
The ship will not stop at any other point except Pak Bang.
Also, there will be no food or drinks provided, so you will need to bring your own or purchase them on board.

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Chiang Rai: 2-Day Transfer to Luang Prabang by Slow Boat